Connect with us


The police in Lagos have commenced an investigation into a case involving one Oladele, 45, a prophet at a church in Oke Ira, in the Ogba area of the state.

The police at the Special Fraud Unit, Ikoyi, said the prophet was being held for allegedly defrauding a businesswoman of N70m, a duplex, two five-bedroomed bungalows, a Lexus and a Toyota Highlander, 2014 model.

According to PUNCH Metro, the woman’s ordeal began sometime in 2007 after she was told by a medical doctor that her womb would have to be removed to heal her of fibroids.

She was said to have rejected the doctor’s advice and resorted to a desperate search for an alternative solution, during which she was introduced to the prophet.

The woman, who was 43 years old at the time he met Oladele, had reportedly been battling with the ailment for 14 years, which made her to bleed from her private parts.

It was gathered that the 45-year-old prophet promised to make the fibrous tissue disappear and gave her some concoctions after collecting N98,000 for the service. The bleeding was said to have stopped.

However, the victim’s excitement was short-lived when the bleeding recurred two weeks after and she returned to the prophet.

It was said that Oladele subsequently started coming up with different gimmicks to extort money from the woman, including a claim that her husband was after her life and those of her three children.

A senior police officer at the SFU said, “The woman is from a prominent family in Lagos State and she is a businesswoman. She had fibroids for 14 years and was driven from pillars to posts, looking for healing. Eventually in 2007, she met a woman who introduced her to the prophet.

“The prophet told her that her husband was the cause of the heavy blood flowed. He said the husband wanted to kill her and that as long as the blood flows, the husband would continue to make more money. He said the husband had to be eliminated for her to live well. He also told her to bring her children – two females and a male – for spiritual cleansing, saying their lives were also in danger.

“He gave the children some concoctions. He lived in the woman’s house in Ogba with her children whenever the husband was not around. By this time, he had taken control of the woman and her children. At a point, he told the woman to build a five-bedroomed duplex for him at Ijoko (Ogun State), which she did within three months. She also purchased a Toyota Highlander, 2014 model, and a Lexus GX470, 2013 model, for him.”

It was learnt that the woman’s son ran mad a few years ago after taking some herb from the prophet. It was learnt that Oladele took the boy to his town in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, where he was healed.

“He told the woman that she must build two five bed-roomed bungalows for him in Ado Ekiti so that her son madness would not return. After she built the houses, he told the woman to stop having sex with her husband if she wanted to live long.

“The woman made several transfers into his three bank accounts. We have been able to get records of the transfers to one of his banks which ran into over N70m,” the source added.

PUNCH Metro gathered that luck ran out on the prophet sometime in March when it dawned on one of the woman’s children, a lawyer, that the family was being defrauded after he allegedly collected another millions of naira from her for spiritual cleansing.

Another investigator at the SFU said, “The lawyer informed their father and the case was reported to the police. The prophet was arrested in Ado Ekiti, where he had gone to obtain a chieftaincy title.”

An official of the SFU, SP Ngozi Braide, who spoke on the incident on behalf of the unit’s Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Lamorde, said the suspect confessed to the fraud.

She said, “We have been able to trace about N70m to his bank account. In his statement, he said he healed the woman of the fibroids.”

In the prophet’s statement to the police, he said the houses and the two vehicles were gifts the woman gave him. He said he did not use charms on her and her children.

The man also told investigators that he gave some money to the woman that introduced the victim to her.

Braide said the police had launched a manhunt for the accomplice, adding that the prophet had been granted administrative bail and would be charged to court after the completion of investigation.

“We urge members of the public to be wary of people who devise various means of defrauding them of their hard-earned money. Be careful about the kind of people you seek help from,” Braide added.

BIG STORY

14 Villagers, Policeman Killed In Plateau Attacks

Published

on

At least 14 villagers and a mobile police officer lost their lives on Thursday in two separate attacks by gunmen in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State.

One of the incidents occurred around 4:00 pm while the victims, mostly residents of the Chirang community, were returning from Bokkos market to Mangor village.

The Chairman of Community Peace Observers in Bokkos, Kefas Mallai, confirmed the attack to The PUNCH in Jos on Thursday night.

Mallai said, “Yes, it is true. There was an attack on our people about 4:00 pm this evening.

“Fourteen natives were ambushed and killed by suspected terrorists while three others were injured on their way from Bokkos Market to Mangor Village of Bokkos LG.”

He added that security forces had since taken control of the area to maintain peace and prevent further violence.

He also noted that the latest assault followed an earlier attack that same day where a mobile police officer was killed while on duty.

The officer was stationed at a checkpoint along Richa Road in the same Bokkos LGA before he was killed.

Mallai described the incidents as “very unfortunate.”

“Our hearts are bleeding because early this morning, on 24th July, 2025, a MOPOL was killed at his duty post (checkpoint) along Richa road, Bokkos LGA. This is what happened in Bokkos today,” he said.

The Chairman of Bokkos Local Government Area, Amalau Amalau, confirmed the attacks and described the situation as an “emergency.”

He said, “I’m driving. We have an emergency in Bokkos following attacks on our people.

“Right now, we are taking the victims to the Jos University Teaching Hospital. Let’s talk later, please,” the chairman told our correspondent.

Efforts to reach the spokesperson for the Plateau State Police Command, Alabo Alfred, were unsuccessful as his phone was switched off.

However, sources at the command said additional security personnel had been deployed to the affected area to address the crisis.

In response to the killings, several residents voiced their concerns and urged the Federal Government to consider establishing state police.

“Many state governments have been pleading with the Federal Government to allow them to have state police.

“I think the time has come for the Federal Government and the National Assembly to do something urgent in this regard, to stop further loss of lives in Plateau State and other parts of the country,” said Choji Bulus, a resident of Barkin Ladi.

Continue Reading

BIG STORY

Made Kuti Releases Sophomore Album, ‘Chapter 1: Where Does Happiness Come From?’

Published

on

  • Set to hold listening party on July 27 at Afrikan Shrine

 

Grammy-nominated Nigerian Afrobeat multi-instrumentalist Omorinmade Anikulapo Kuti, popularly known as Made Kuti, has announced the release of his highly anticipated second album, ‘Chapter 1: Where Does Happiness Come From?.’

The highly anticipated album contains 13 songs and is available worldwide.

The sophomore album features socially conscious songs like ‘Take It All In Before The Lights Go Out,’ ‘I Won’t Run Away,’ and ‘Life As We Know It.’ Other songs are ‘Find My Way,’ ‘Pray,’ ‘Won Na Pa,’ ‘Our Own,’ ‘Wait And See,’ ‘You Can’t Hide,’ ‘Oya,’ ‘My Voice,’ ‘Story,’ and ‘After The Tears Flow.’ Made has encouraged fans and music enthusiasts to stream the album on all music platforms, embrace its powerful messages, and prepare for the exclusive listening party happening on Sunday, July 27, 2025 at the iconic Afrikan Shrine.

Building on the success of his debut For(e)word—a modern Afrobeat manifesto tackling issues like corruption and inequality—Made continues to showcase his talent as a singer, songwriter, composer, and multi-instrumentalist.

The album is coming three years after the release of his debut album, ‘For(e)word, a modern Afrobeat manifesto addressing issues like corruption, inequality, and police brutality. His debut album, which was released in a joint album, ‘Legacy+,’ alongside his father’s ‘Stop the Hate’ in 2022, earned him his first Grammy nomination for Best Global Music Album in 2022.

The upcoming event, FK Management noted, is not just about music – it’s a celebration of culture, creativity, and the next chapter in Made’s musical journey. Attendees are billed to experience an electrifying atmosphere filled with live performances, energetic dance, and a shared love for Afrobeat music.

It’s a rare opportunity for fans and music enthusiasts to connect directly with Made and immerse themselves in his new tracks within a vibrant, immersive setting.

As a proud third-generation Kuti, Made continues to push boundaries and elevate his craft, bringing the fire and passion that his legendary lineage is known for.

According to organizers FK Management, this promises to be a milestone moment for fans and music lovers alike—a night to remember.

Update HERE

Continue Reading

BIG STORY

Natasha To Serve Out Suspension As Senate Enters Recess

Published

on

Two days after Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was stopped from resuming her duties, the Nigerian Senate adjourned plenary on Thursday for its annual break, which will last until September 23, 2025.

As a result of the recess, the suspended Kogi senator will now complete the remainder of her suspension before the next plenary session.

Akpoti-Uduaghan was handed a six-month suspension on March 6, 2025, after being accused of misconduct and insubordination during the February 20, 2025, plenary when she refused a seat reassignment.

The Senate had cautioned that her suspension might be reviewed if she failed to offer a formal apology.

Her punishment stemmed from the findings of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, which found her guilty after reviewing the complaints.

The suspension was due to end on September 6, 2025. However, the recess means she will serve the full term before the Senate returns.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday after being denied entry into the Senate chamber, Akpoti-Uduaghan criticised the Senate’s action as unlawful and revealed plans to challenge it in court.

“Even the suspension ab initio was fraudulent—the document was faulty,” she said.

“Going forward, I will have a meeting with my legal team so they can proceed to the appellate court to seek interpretation of what just happened. I am a law-abiding citizen.”

She also accused Senate President Akpabio of exceeding his constitutional powers.

With the recess in place, the Senate will not reconvene until her suspension has lapsed.

During plenary, Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the recess, describing it as “chamber reciprocity” since the House of Representatives had already started its break in line with the legislative calendar.

“We have started a new calendar that will take us to next year, June. And so it has fallen within this period for us to go on for a break to enable us to undertake major oversights,” Akpabio explained.

He stated that while plenary would be paused, committee activities should continue during the break.

“All necessary committees—the diaspora committee, committee on reparation, committee on interior and others—this is the best time for you to undertake visits to prisons and all that.

“Do all your reports and make them available as soon as we come back,” he directed.

Akpabio encouraged senators to carry out oversight functions across the country, emphasising that their legislative responsibilities must continue.

“You are moving from plenary for the next few weeks, but you are not stopping your legislative functions, because that’s what your people elected you to do. Members are expected to travel to Sokoto, everywhere, to observe the road repairs that are going on.

“By the time we resume, you are expected to bring your reports, committee by committee, for us to look into. I want to wish you safe travels and for all of us to return in good health,” he added.

Akpabio also announced the passing of Prof Janet Plang, wife of Senator Diket Plang.

He said arrangements had been made for senators to attend her burial in Plateau State on Friday, with a flight scheduled to leave Abuja at 8 am.

Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele expressed appreciation to senators for their dedication to legislative duties.

“We thank all our colleagues for all they have done to ensure that the business of lawmaking on behalf of the government and people of Nigeria has progressed smoothly,” Bamidele said.

He then proposed postponing all remaining items on the order paper to the next sitting, which was unanimously accepted by the Senate.

Natasha delayed at airport

Separately, the suspended senator was reportedly held up at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja last Thursday while attempting to board a flight to the United Kingdom.

A family source disclosed that immigration officials claimed she had been placed on a watch list by order of the National Assembly leadership.

“She was told that the leadership of the National Assembly requested that she be considered a flight risk and placed on a watch list,” the source said.

“We are wondering why they treated her that way, given there is no court order restricting her movement and she has never missed any of her court appearances.”

Eyewitnesses said Akpoti-Uduaghan looked distressed and made several phone calls before being allowed to travel after her passport was stamped.

Speaking shortly before departure, the senator confirmed the incident, saying, “The aircraft is about to take off.”

Continue Reading

Most Popular